Mustafa Monwar, the artist, theatre director, and art researcher known for his pioneering work in puppetry, has died.
He passed away around 8:30 am on Monday while undergoing treatment at Dhaka's Square Hospital. The renowned artist was 91, according to a bdnews24.com report.
His niece, actress Nima Rahman, said, "My uncle's body will be taken from the hospital to his house in Dhanmondi."
Monwar was suffering from various diseases related to old age and had to be treated in hospital several times in the past months.
He was last admitted to Square Hospital on June 14 after contracting pneumonia. When his physical condition deteriorated, he was taken to the intensive care unit (ICU).
His ventilator support was removed a few days ago after there was some improvement in his condition. He was put on ventilator support again when his condition deteriorated, but he could not be restored afterwards.
Monwar was born on September 1, 1935, in Jashore’s Sreepur. His father, poet Golam Mostafa, hailed from Monoharpur village in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa.
Monwar’s mother Jamila Khatun died when he was five years old. He was the youngest of six siblings.
After matriculating from Narayanganj Government School, Monwar initially enrolled in the science branch at Scottish Church College in Kolkata. But he did not stick to his studies and eventually enrolled in the Kolkata College of Arts and Crafts. In 1959, he graduated top of his class in Fine Arts from the institution.
He married Mary Monwar in 1965. They had a son, Sadat Monwar, and a daughter, Nandini Monwar.
Monwar started his career as a lecturer at the East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts. Later, he served as deputy director general of Bangladesh Television, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, director general of the National Media Institute, general manager of Bangladesh Television Dhaka, and managing director of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC).
He was also the chairman of the Janabibhag Unnayan Kendra and project director of the Educational Puppet Development Center.
Monwar received various honours over the course of a colourful career, including the Ekushey Padak in 2004 for his contribution to the arts.
He has been awarded various awards, including the Tenashinas Padak for TV drama in 1990, the Bangladesh Charushilpali Sangsad Award for special contributions to the arts in 1992, the Kids Honorary Padak from the Shishu Shilpakala Kendra Kids Cultural Institute, Chattogram in 1999, and the Special Honorary Award from the Shishu Kendra for his contribution to painting, theatre directing, and puppet making in 2002.